Description
Bold, juicy, and brimming with Italian flavors, these Best Homemade Italian Meatballs are a comfort food staple that delivers every time. Whether you’re prepping a quick dinner, searching for weeknight dinner ideas, or craving a cozy Italian classic, this easy recipe is your go-to solution. Made with a mix of beef and pork, fresh herbs, garlic, and cheeses, they’re perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or served solo with marinara. Great for meal prep, freezer-friendly, and guaranteed to satisfy — this is one of the ultimate food ideas for both gatherings and weeknights.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (80/20)
1 lb ground pork
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs or 2 slices day-old bread soaked in 1/2 cup milk
2 large eggs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small yellow onion, finely grated
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tbsp olive oil
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Combine breadcrumbs or soaked bread with milk and let sit for 5–10 minutes to form a panade.
2. In a large bowl, mix beef, pork, panade, eggs, cheeses, parsley, garlic, onion, salt, pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Mix gently.
3. Chill mixture in the fridge for 20–30 minutes to firm up.
4. Roll mixture into 1½-inch balls and set aside on a tray or lined baking sheet.
5. Heat olive oil in a skillet. Brown meatballs on all sides in batches (about 6–8 minutes).
6. Finish by either baking at 375°F for 10–12 minutes or simmering in sauce for 15–20 minutes until internal temp is 165°F.
7. Serve hot with pasta, crusty bread, or as party bites. Garnish if desired.
Notes
Chilling the meat mixture helps it hold its shape and improves texture.
For a lighter option, you can substitute ground turkey for pork.
Browning the meatballs before baking or simmering adds rich flavor and better structure.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying & Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 470mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: easy dinner, homemade meatballs, Italian dinner, dinner ideas, meatball recipe, quick dinner